Obey, It's the Only Way

     The following excerpt and website are from today's sermon by Dr. Charles Stanley. He speaks on our walk with God and how as we mature as a Christian our dependence on Him goes from fear of repercussions to a relationship based upon obedience to a faithful and loving God.
     God wants the best for us, but sometimes our impatience leads to us not listening, and settling for second best. The consequences that come with decisions made away from the will of God often lead us to discouragement, but God can turn even our worst choices into something for good, if we are willing to repent and ask for His will to be done in our lives. Obey, it's the only way to blessed living and a better day.

Following God is never simple or easy for any one. It takes courage. A passion to obey the Lord doesn’t suddenly appear in the believer’s life... Obedience usually begins with a healthy fear of the consequences resulting from disobedience...Following God’s will shifts our focus from the consequences of disobedience to the blessings of obedience. Once we taste the best He has to offer, we want to keep His goodness flowing into our lives...But love for our Father moves us toward passionate obedience, no matter what is at stake...The man and the woman who courageously walk with God will always reach their destination. (excerpt of the original article, Courage to Obey, by Dr. Charles Stanley) http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/this-week-on-tv

Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.